Megacities Flashcards
What is the stages in the cycle of urbanisation undergone by cities?
- Urbanisation
- Suburbanisation
- Counter-urbanisation
- Re-urbanisation
Cycle of urbanisation- 1. Urbanisation
Growth of people living in urban areas.
Occurs because of migration (especially rural-urban)
Urbanisation is happening quickly in developing countries where most megacities have recently developed- lot of shanty towns.
Cycle of urbanisation- 2. Suburbanisation
Movement of people from city centre to lower density housing on the outskirts of a city.
As urbanisation increases- city centres become overcrowded and people want more space.
Improvements to public transport mean people can move further away.
As megacities grow more suburbs are created.
A complex pattern of wealthy and poor areas are developed.
Cycle of urbanisation- 3. Counter-urbanisation
The movement of people out of the city into surrounding villages and rural areas.
Improvements in transport and communications mean people can commute to work or work from home over the internet.
This happens because of high property prices and overcrowding in cities. People may also prefer quiet rural areas.
Cycle of urbanisation- 4. Re-urbanisation
The movement of people back into redeveloped city centre residential areas.
In developed countries lots of city centres have been redeveloped. This attracts young, affluent people who want to be near the cultural activity of the city centre.
London Urban Cycle
The population of London is growing, but not rapidly- the population of Greater London has grown by less than 1 million since 1981.
Urbanisation is still occurring- migrating to London from abroad.
Counter-urbanisation is also happening- migrating out of London to the rest of the UK.
Re-urbanisation has happened around London Docklands.
London Economy
London has a post industrial economy- the economy used to be based on industry and manufacturing, but now its mostly based on services.
It’s a major financial centre- London has one of the largest stock exchanges in the world.
Tourism is a major part of the economy.
London Housing Patterns
London has a complex residential pattern that includes contrasting rich and poor areas.
Parts of poorer areas in the east of inner London have been changed because of gentrification, richer people have moved in, making a mixed pattern of rich and poor people living near to each other.
Suburban growth has meant villages around London have become suburbs. Wealthy AND poor immigrants live there.
Mumbai Urban Cycle
The population of Mumbai is growing rapidly; the population of Greater Mumbai has grown by more than 6 million people since 1971 and people are still moving in.
Massive urbanisation is occurring- people are migrating to Mumbai from all over India.
Suburbanisation is occurring- some people are moving north, away from the inner city on the southern tip of the island. Suburbs are being built along the main rail and road routes out of the city.
Mumbai Economy
Mumbai has a fast growing economy based on manufacturing, but the service industry is becoming more important:
Until 80s mainly textiles manufacturing and shipping.
Increase in IT and financial services recently.
Major centre for outsourced work- call centres.
Major media centre for India.
Mumbai Housing Patterns
The residential pattern of Greater Mumbai is complex:
The wealthiest area (Malabar Hill) is near to CBD.
Around half the population live in shanty towns, e.g Dharavi.
Wealthier suburbs have been built along the road and rail routes that run north out of the CBD, but shanty towns are still about near the transport links.
